Michigan’s Oakland County Prosecutor has committed to prosecuting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers after the agency leased office space in Southfield, though the space will be used only for administrative purposes.
Karen McDonald released a statement on Feb. 18, saying she would prosecute federal law enforcement officers, in an Instagram post.
“I am committed to working with Oakland County’s local law enforcement to ensure everyone’s rights are protected and that allegations of lawlessness—including by federal officers—are fully and transparently investigated by independent authorities,” said McDonald. “As Oakland County Prosecutor, I will hold anyone who breaks the law accountable, no matter who they are. No one is above the law.”
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ICE leased an office at One Towne Square, according to a now-deleted statement released by The City of Southfield on Feb. 11.
The statement said that city officials had been advised that the office was for administrative purposes and that ICE officers would not be operating out of the building.
“The escalation by federal immigration officers in U.S. cities has created fear and uncertainty for public school officials, community leaders, and residents,” McDonald said.
“ICE’s presence in Southfield will only heighten that fear. I want to remind everyone in Oakland County that you are entitled to basic constitutional rights, including the right to be free from unlawful arrest, regardless of immigration status.”
Michigan Democrats have conducted a full-court press to limit ICE’s presence in the state in the past month, including:
- Democrats in the State Senate recently introduced a bill that would ban state law enforcement from entering into, renewing, or modifying immigration enforcement agreements with federal authorities.
- A series of Senate bills limiting ICE operations, including banning local agencies from sharing information with federal authorities, was also introduced earlier this month.
- Two police officers in Detroit were suspended this week for contacting Border Patrol during an investigation and a traffic stop.
- Current State Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a form for Michiganders “to report alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents in their communities,” according to a Feb. 6 report from The Midwesterner.
McDonald is running for the Democratic nomination for State Attorney General in the 2026 midterm election.
The Oakland prosecutor has received endorsements from 68 groups and individuals, including U.S. Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-MI, and State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids.
She also received a key endorsement from Michigan’s largest labor union, United Auto Workers.
Fellow Democrat Mark Totten withdrew his campaign for Attorney General in January due to not having “a viable path forward through an early endorsement convention,” after the UAW endorsed McDonald.
Eli Savit, the only other contender for the Democratic nomination, was also not endorsed by the union but has over 100 endorsements.
